Simple, quick, and delicious. Make these 4 Ingredient Teriyaki Chicken Skewers for your next weeknight meal and you will not be disappointed. I promise! Serve with a salad, some brown rice, some simple sesame egg noodles, or in a buddha bowl with pineapple, spring onions, and cucumber. The options are limitless. Perfect for meal prepping as the chicken tastes even better if you let it marinate in the sauce for at least 24 hours before cooking.
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This easy meal has been on regular rotation in our house for a long time and was inspired by another easy meal: 4 Ingredient Easy Teriyaki Salmon which also consistently gets rave reviews!
4 Ingredient Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
These super easy Teriyaki Chicken Skewers are going to change your life.
I have long been a fan of honey, soy, and garlic chicken, and have made a number of variations over the years.
This one though, this one is PERFECT.
Even though it is probably the easiest one I have come up with.
After the great response I had from my Chicken and Zucchini Skewers with Salsa Verde I thought it only right to come up with another chicken skewer recipe, but this time it should be more suitable for a weeknight meal.
With only 4 ingredients and one dish - this one couldn't be easier!
Plus kids seem to love eating food from a stick, so skewers are always a win for the whole family.
What Ingredients Are Needed?
For an easy weeknight meal, I like to keep the ingredients to a minimum, and as simple as possible.
That means there will be no running to the specialty stores!
You are going to need:
- chicken: I use boneless skinless chicken breasts because I prefer them, but you can sub for boneless skinless chicken thighs if you want to keep the meal more budget-friendly, or if you prefer cooking with that cut;
- tamari or soy sauce: check the ingredients to make sure it is GF if you are following that diet;
- honey: brown sugar is traditionally used in teriyaki recipes, but honey provides just as much sweetness. Feel free to sub in brown sugar, coconut sugar or maple syrup instead if that is what you prefer. I have also used pineapple juice in a pinch, and it was worked really well also, the sauce is just a little more runny;
- garlic;
- water;
- optional extras: thinly sliced green onion, sesame seeds, finely slices red onion are optional extras for serving if you have them on hand.
See, told you teriyaki chicken skewers make the perfect no-fuss weeknight easy recipe.
How To Cook Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
If you are organized and plan in advance then marinate the chicken pieces in the homemade teriyaki sauce overnight.
Whilst not necessary, allowing the chicken to marinade all night does give you an altogether more intense flavor.
TIP: try and cut the chicken into evenly sized long strips so that it cooks quickly and evenly.
If you aren't as organized, you can do it in the morning, or at least an hour before cooking. Just a warning though, you will not get the same amazing flavor and moist chicken if you only soak for an hour as opposed to overnight.
Come dinnertime the following day, all you need to do is:
- thread the chicken onto some skewers (if you are using wooden skewers be sure to soak them in water for at least an hour before threading, or they will burn on cooking);
- pop them under the broiler/grill at medium heat for a couple of minutes;
- and serve any way you like (see below for serving suggestions).
Be sure to not overcook the chicken teriyaki kabobs, as you want nice juicy chicken to serve up!
Can These Chicken Teriyaki Skewers Be Made On An Outdoor Grill or BBQ?
Yes, of course.
If you are feeling brave, you could always fire up the grill/BBQ and get them nice and charred on there.
Because they are cut into smallish cubes, they won't take long to cook at all, so be sure to keep an eye on the chicken skewers to prevent burning.
I find about 2 minutes on each side is enough to cook them through so be ready for a quick cook.
What Type Of Skewers Should Be Used
Tip: use metal skewers. Not only are they reusable, but they also won't burn as easily as wooden skewers do.
If you only have wooden skewers, that works as well.
Just be sure to place skewers in a container of water and allow them to soak for at least half an hour before cooking, otherwise, they will burn, and we don't want that.
Tips and Tricks For Storing Leftovers
To maximize the shelf life of cooked grilled teriyaki chicken skewers for safety and quality, refrigerate the chicken in shallow airtight containers or wrap tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
Properly stored, cooked chicken will last for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator.
What Should I Serve With 4 Ingredient Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
The best thing about this teriyaki chicken kebabs (or chicken on a stick as my kids like to call it) is that because the flavors are so simple, it is really very versatile and can be served in many different ways making it the perfect family-friendly meal on busy weeknights.
Try some of these serving suggestions for a complete meal (or leave a comment if you have a favorite way to serve them):
- with some cooked brown or white rice;
- with some cauliflower rice or broccoli rice if you want to keep it low-carb;
- alongside a Summer Stone Fruit Spinach and Strawberry Salad ;
- In a wrap or sandwich for lunch;
- with some simple sesame egg noodles for dinner;
- on top of a salad for a bit of protein;
- in a buddha bowl - pairs well with rice, cucumber, grated carrot, maybe some chopped fresh pineapple if you like it;
- with a Hawaiian Macaroni Salad like this one from Food, Folks and Fun;
- with a nice big dollop of peanut butter satay sauce, or another nut butter sauce if you are catering to a peanut allergy;
- on top of a pizza for something different;
TIP: make double the amount of teriyaki marinade and alternate large chunks of yellow peppers, green pepper, red bell peppers, and a large onion cut into chunks with pieces of chicken.
When it comes to teriyaki chicken kabobs the options are plenty, so use your imagination and enjoy!
Happy eating
xx
Recipe
4 Ingredient Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- ½ cup tamari reduced sodium soy sauce
- ½ cup raw honey
- ½ cup water
- 4 cloves of garlic crushed
Instructions
- Cut the chicken into cubes and pop into a large glass dish with a lid
- Whisk together the tamari, honey, water and crushed garlic until well incorporated
- Pop about ¾ of the mixture on top of the chicken. Stir to combine, put on the lid, and pop into the fridge to marinade for at least 3 hours (up to overnight). Set the extra marinade aside for later.
- Thread the chicken onto 4 large metal skewers and set on a baking tray lined with parchment paper
- When you are ready turn the broiler to full heat (the grill for those not in the US). Divide the leftover marinade in half, into two separate bowls (one for brushing the chicken skewers and one for serving). Brush the chicken with some of the marinade from one bowl and pop under the broiler for 4 minutes on one side, turn over, brush again and broil for 4 minutes on the other side
- Serve up with the extra marinade and enjoy
Notes
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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Sarah says
These look absolutely delicious! Can't wait to try them!
XO Sarah
http://everydaysarahjane.com
Felesha says
I'm loving it! A great weeknight "go to"! Thanks for sharing!!
Whole Food Bellies says
very welcome Felesha 🙂
Rachel@SimpleSeasonal says
This recipe looks simply delicious!
Whole Food Bellies says
Thanks Rachel - we love it 🙂
Meredith @ The Weekday Gourmet says
What an easy marinade! Love it!
Sarah | (Cooking for) Kiwi & Bean says
4 ingredients -- you are speaking my language. With the busy school year coming up I need as many quick and simple recipes as I can get my hands on. These look wonderful. And easy. Win!
Whole Food Bellies says
Haha, I totally used to be about fancy, intricate meals....kids came along and now the less ingredients the better!
Manal says
How delicious and easy... I have a jar of tamari sauce that needs to be used... Will try those for sure
Whole Food Bellies says
Hope you enjoy Manal!!
Michelle | Divas With A Purpose says
Quick, easy and yummy - my kind of recipe! We'll definitely be trying this soon! Thanks for sharing.
Whole Food Bellies says
Hope you enjoy Michelle!
Shelly says
These chicken skewers look amazing! I've never tried to put honey on them before. I will definitely have to give it a try!
Whole Food Bellies says
The honey makes them all sticky and delicious 🙂
Pam @ Hodge Podge Moments says
I love all of your recipes! These look so good. I'll have to try them soon. 🙂
Whole Food Bellies says
Aww thanks Pam!
Kirsten says
These look delicious! And what's not to love about a recipe with 4 ingredients? Pinning this and I can't wait to try it.
Whole Food Bellies says
Thanks Kirsten! I hope you love them 🙂
Bonnie @ Living a Fit and Full Life says
Oh my! These look so good!
Shannon Peterson says
The simplicity of this dish makes it something I would actually try to accomplish haha! Sounds delicious!
Whole Food Bellies says
Haha, they are definitely super simple 🙂
Stacey says
Looks delicious! And I love the fact that the ingredient let is so short. Something about eating off a stick is always appealing to the kids.
Whole Food Bellies says
Oh I know, my little ones love eating from a stick!
Jaclyn says
Oh my goodness, these skewers look delicious! I love honey and garlic together; we just made some tacos with that combo and we LOOOOVED them!
Whole Food Bellies says
Yum, I wouldn't have thought of that flavour combo in tacos, but I can totally see it working!!
Barb @ A Life in Balance says
I love how easy these are! I'm adding them to my quick meal list for back to school.
Whole Food Bellies says
Definitely a handy one to have for busy school nights!
ana says
The chicken looks delicious but as I am a veggie I would substitute it with quorn .
Whole Food Bellies says
I have tried it with extra firm tofu as well, and it worked really well! I remember eating quorn when I loved in the UK (used to be veggie as well), but I haven't heard of it in years 🙂
Tina says
This look delish and made me very hungry. Not being the best cook, I think I can even make these with 4 ingredients. Thanks for sharing.
Whole Food Bellies says
Oh I promise you can totally pull it off Tina 🙂
Michelle @ Sunshine and Hurricanes.com says
I LOVE how simple this recipe is! It really is the basic things that are often the best!
Whole Food Bellies says
Yeah, I have definitely been taking it back to basics lately, and it has given me a whole new appreciation 🙂
Debra says
Oh man, these look so delicious! My husband would love them!
Jamie @ Coffee With Us 3 says
These look perfect! And I love your skewers-- so handy to reuse them!